OECD/IMHE - Supporting the contribution of higher education institution to regional development : Self-evaluation report of the Jyväskylä region in Finland

Abstract

Together with 13 other regions from different OECD countries the Jyväskylä region is participating in the project that aims to boost regional contribution of higher education institutions (HEIs). The overall project Supporting the contribution of HEIs to regional development is coordinated by the OECD programme on Institutional Management of Higher Education (IMHE). As a part of the regional development process a cooperative self-evaluation, which gathers together the HEIs and their stakeholders, has been launched in each region. This is followed by the review visit of an international review team which aims to further support the regional learning process. In the Jyväskylä region all central actors were participating in the self-evaluation process and content of this report is based on their viewpoints on prevailing situation and potential focal points for development. The regional steering committee consists of representatives from the University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä Polytechnic, Regional Council of Central Finland, City of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä Regional Development Organization (JYKES), Jyväskylä Science Park, Federation of Central Finland’s Enterprises, Central Finland Chamber of Commerce and the Ministry of Education. The member organizations of the steering committee participated also in the funding of the project. In addition, the expertise of the State Provincial Office of Western Finland and Employment and Economic Development Centre of Central Finland was used in the process.

The self-evaluation process of the Jyväskylä region was coordinated by the Expert Division of the University of Jyväskylä. The main objective of the self-evaluation was to produce a versatile description about the contribution of HEIs to the development of the Jyväskylä region, and ­practical information on possible bottlenecks of the process and potential development fields. The self-evaluation is basically intended for the support of learning and development process. Interaction between the HEIs and their regional stakeholders was analyzed and processed through interviews, questionnaires, workshops and work of the regional steering committee. Within the HEIs the evaluation data was gathered from the central management, management of different units (faculties, schools, separate units), experts of different themes and from the development personnel. In regard to stakeholders the interviews were mainly directed to the leadership of organizations and thematic experts.

The self-evaluation revealed that the starting-points of regional interplay differ markedly between the two institutions and between the faculties and schools within them. In the Jyväskylä Polytechnic the regional interaction is one of the most important vertical aspects guiding its operation, whereas at the University of Jyväskylä the regional contribution is rather seen as a horizontal theme which maps the applicable channels for regional exploitation. Part of the faculties / departments / schools have integrated the regional contribution as a key field in their operation, whereas in the others the need for regional interaction is only recognized but not real measures have been taken so far. However, when analyzing the regional contribution of HEIs the ability of regional actors to use the know-how produced by the HEIs should also be taken account.

Despite the different starting-points the HEIs cooperate actively and interact with their stakeholders to contribute regional development. Several important regional development processes are in progress in HEIs in which the regional intermediary organizations and firms have a significant role as well. On the other hand, a lot of potential for strengthening the regional contribution is still unused. However, the exploitation of that reserve requires a new kind of approach in which the HEIs collaborate closely with each others as well as with their stakeholders. Both the HEIs and their stakeholders have recognized a need for a common forum that supports the strategic planning. Moreover, it is considered essential that the cooperation between the HEIs will be further deepened to rationalize and strengthen the regional development work.